The equipment of the Murray County convict camp has been sold to the State Highway Department, and the operation of the camp taken over by the department, according to announcement made at the office of the Board of Roads and Revenues Tuesday.

While all the details of the trade have not been made known, it is said that under the terms of the trade the State Highway Department is to pay some seven thousand dollars for the live stock and other equipment of the camp; that the department has taken over the management, control and operation of the camp; that the convicts are to remain in Murray County until the completion of the Knoxville-Atlanta Short Route through this county; that this road is to be completed without further cost to Murray County, and that the county will continue to get its part of the gas tax for use on other roads.

The trade with the State Highway Department was made by the old Board of Roads and Revenues, and the department took charge of the convicts Tuesday.

All those who discussed the matter Tuesday were of the opinion that, if the conditions of the contract are as stated, Murray County has made a splendid trade.

Division Engineer E.M. Arnold, of Rome, was in the city Tuesday, and he advised the new county board that it was the intention of the department to practically complete the construction of the Atlanta-Knoxville route through this county this year.

Mr. Arnold also stated that the fund for maintaining the state highway system in this county, amounting to $200 per mile, would continue to be sent to the county board to be expended by that body in the maintenance of the system.

While the contract with the State Highway Department calls for the completion of the north-and-south road without further cost to the county, it is said that the county may be required to pay a part of the construction cost of two bridges on the route.

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